The Royal Film Commission Jordan | First Audiovisual Coproduction Treaty Signed between Jordan and Canada

01/11/2016

Amman, 1 November 2016

The Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan – represented
by the Jordanian Acting Minister of Culture Adel Tweissi – and the
Government of Canada – represented by the Canadian Ambassador to Jordan Peter
MacDougall – signed yesterday in Amman an audiovisual coproduction treaty.

Recognizing that audiovisual coproduction treaties contribute to
the development of concerned industries, foster economic and cultural
exchanges, nurture cultural diversity, strengthen the free flow of ideas and
grant benefits to parties involved in the audiovisual sector, the Royal Film
Commission – Jordan (RFC) and Telefilm Canada have drafted this treaty, the
first of its kind for Jordan.

The fourteen articles of this treaty detail conditions of its
applicability, eligibility of beneficiaries, copyright and revenues of works
produced and financial benefits. It is expected that audiences in both
countries will have greater access to Jordanian and Canadian audiovisual works,
while producers from both countries will enjoy economic advantages.

Commenting on this signing, Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein, Chairman
of the Board of Commissioners of the RFC, said: “We are delighted by the
completion of this audiovisual coproduction treaty between the Governments of
Jordan and Canada. It is the result of fruitful negotiations between the Royal
Film Commission – Jordan and Telefilm Canada. Over the years, several
award-winning Canadian movies were shot in Jordan, paving the way for such an
agreement. We are confident this treaty will be beneficial to filmmakers in
both countries. Being the first of its kind for Jordan, we hope it will
encourage further coproduction treaties between Jordan and other countries.”

Ambassador MacDougall said: “The signing of the Audiovisual
Coproduction Treaty represents a new step in Canada’s cultural relationship
with Jordan, offering opportunities for enhanced production in this sphere.”

It is worth mentioning that the conclusion of this treaty came
in the framework of a State visit by a high-level Canadian delegation headed by
the Governor General of Canada, David Johnston who visited the Film
House- RFC where he was welcomed by Prince Ali. A public screening of the
feature narrative “Hyena Road” by Paul Gross – the most recent Canadian movie
to be shot in Jordan – was organized by the RFC on Sunday 30th of October. It
was followed by a discussion with the director, writer and actor Paul Gross and
the producer Niv Fichman. It was attended by the Canadian delegation, Prince
Ali, Canada’s Ambassador to Jordan as well as the film crew and local audience.

The Royal Film Commission –
Jordan (RFC) is a public institution, with administrative and financial autonomy,
established in 2003 with a mandate to promote for and contribute to the
development of an internationally competitive Jordanian audio-visual industry.
The RFC organises training workshops, screenings and provides production
support services.